Used for the first time in the 1960’s, artificial grass has increased in popularity over the years and become the go-to option for those looking for a low maintenance and easy-to-handle alternative to traditional grass lawns.
Artificial turf is commonly used in sports stadiums, particularly sheltered sports stadiums where natural grass wouldn’t be able to receive enough sunlight for photosynthesis to survive.
Despite the convenience of artificial lawns, they have been found to be potentially harmful to the local ecosystem, with some calls in recent days to see artificial turf banned completely.
Are Artificial Lawns Bad for the Environment?
Natural gardens play an important role in offering natural habitat and food for local wildlife. Natural lawns are also able to absorb rain and reduce the risk of flash flooding, both of which artificial lawns are unable to do.
There have also been concerns raised regarding the chemicals used in the creating of artificial grass including polypropylene, fragments of which can make their way into the soil in the form of microplastic pollution.
It has also been questioned by some as to whether or not artificial grass is hygienic; without the natural draining properties real grass has, all manner of substances such as animal waste can fester if left to pool on the artificial grass without regular cleaning.
However, it’s also worth knowing that there are some environmental benefits to artificial grass – for one, it doesn’t need to be watered, which is particularly useful whenever the UK finds itself in a heat wave and a water shortage. Artificial lawns also do not require the use of potentially harmful fertilisers or herbicides to keep it tidy and weed free.
Although there are a few redeeming qualities of artificial grass, it’s generally accepted that traditional natural lawns are safer and are more beneficial to the local ecosystems.
Is Artificial Grass Going to be Banned?
Even though artificial grass has been found to be potentially harmful to the environment, when it was suggested by Wales’s Climate Change Minister Julie James that fake grass should be banned, it didn’t go down too well!
Minister James suggested that artificial grass should be banned as part of a bill that has already received Royal Assent banning the use of some other single use plastics, but there was significant backlash. Most of this backlash came from business owners who argued that, should this bill be passed, they would be left with no business to run!
Minister James was quick to backtrack, assuring Welsh business owners that artificial grass won’t be banned any time soon and that, even if she wanted to, she didn’t have the power to make such a decision independently. So, it would seem that artificial grass is safe for now, but many have been wondering for just how long artificial grass will be able to stand against the crackdown against single use plastics in the UK.
READ MORE: Artificial Grass vs Real Grass
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Read More: Artificial Grass vs Real Grass
